Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-20

LENIENCY wAsMADE BY HIsCOUNSEI-REMARKS OF
JUDGE MONTGOMERY IN PASSING SENTENCE.
This afternoon, in the Criminal Court, Judge
Montgomery, Oscar j. Harvey, indicted for forgery
OF the names OF C. A Lane and Nathaniel Pierson,
was arra1gned. He was as usual neatly attired,
ana nstened attenttvely to the reading OF the in
dictment. In answer to the usual question he
pleaded guilty.
The district attorney said that, in view OF the
plea, he would not ask his arraignment on the
otner Indictment charging him with presenting
false affidavits.
Mr.. King, his counsel was about to make state
ment when the district attorney sketched the cir
cusSances OF the crime, saying that II the defcl-
ency PHI mad passed he doubtless would have re-
CeLveo $oO,OOO Under the law the punishment was
seven years imprisonment, and he might be sent
enced on each OF the counts but he would not
ask it.
AN APPEAL FOR LENIENCY.
Mr. King, after referring to the suicide OF cler-
gyman some years ago, said that this was a smi-
| lar case, Harvey's mind being unsound. He was q
graduate of ore OF the best colleges in the land
| Dut he had morbid desire to live beyond his
and nearly crazy. He had such desire for works
OF art that he had been known to spend his
months salary for an article without providing
IOr MS 1anlly wants 1t was on this account that
| ne asked that Justice be tempered with mercy.
Wnie occupying position In Government
and the very fact that he committed them was an
1ndlcatlon that he was not of an entirely sound
mind. He had woven the net and plunged into it.,
and man OF so little discretion was scarcely
accountable. For this reason he asked Ieniency.
he cited some instances where light sentences had
resulted In thorough reformation The case OF
sharp he referred to as one where the defendant
TOOK an immense amount OF money. The sentence
was Dat iour lou years If the accused received a
moderate sentence he would come out a reformed
man. He would go to the jail or
the penitentiary penniless, for he had
| gwen up all. He had a mother, a wife,
and four beautiful children, the eldest
| not yet six years old. What would become OF
| them? If the punishment is light they would de-
| vote themselves to his reformation. He was
thlrty-s1X years OF age, but II the punishment is
| not TOO long he would come out prepared to be-
| come useful. He would leave the case with the
| court.
| District Attorney Worthington remarked, in an
Swer TO the statement that the frauds would have
| been found out by letters OF inquiry as to the
claims that In many OF the the parties could
| not be found.
The defendant denied that he sought promotion
10 the Second Controllers Office, and said he was
| placed there against his wish and desire.
THE COURT, IN PASSING SENTENCE,
| remarked that he could see but little excuse for
this crime and while the situation Of the defend
| ants family appealed to him, there was but one
| way OF stopping crime The matters urged as to
tne length OF sentence should be for the executive
an example must be made. 1t was not a sudden
| impulse, but by scheme for months, that the
| accused was rObbing the Government. He would
sentence the defendant to twelve years in the Al
bany pen1tenttary (three years on each COUNTY at
hard labor. He could do no less than this.